Folding perambulator



H.v E. CORNISH FOLDING PERAMULATOR March 2 4, 1953 Filed July 2. 1951 5Sheets-Sheet l H2M mi, ma

ATTORNEYS H. E. cRNlsH `FOLDING.. PERAMBULATOR March 24, 1953 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Filed July 2. 1951 INVENTOR 257. C0 rn als/ BM, mi 1M@w March 24, 1953 H. E. coRNlsH 2,532,654

FOLDING PERAMBULATOR l Filed July 2, 1951 s sheeis-sheet s INVENTOR Cornz's BYMM' Ma,

ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 24, 1953 FOLDING IERAMBULATOR` Harold EdwardCornish, Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia y Application July 2,1951, Serial N o. 234,696

9 Claims.

The specification which follows relates to certain improvements infolding perambulators or baby carriages. It is a further development ofthe .carriage disclosed in my prior United States patent granted March13, 1951, No, 2,545,069.

The earlier structure dealt with rigid side frames capable of beinglaterally separated to -provide a seat, back and foot-rest, with anappropriate handle for pushing and guiding the vehicle.

The `present invention is directed to further improvements .anddevelopments in the seat and foot-rest as well as minor structuraldetails.

It is an object of my invention to provide for conjoint operation of theseat and foot-rest.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved handlemeans for collapsing the seat and foot-rest :and carrying the vehicle infolded condition.

Among the objects of my invention is the provision of adequate supportfrom below of the seat in its operating position.

A Istill 'further object of my invention is the provision of improvedmounting for the footrest.

An object of the invention is also the provision of fastening the seatcushion and locking 'the fastening means against disengagement.

More particularly, the invention contemplates the assembly of a childsfolda-ble lperambulator comprising a pair of rigid side frames havingstub shafts and wheels thereon, each side frame having front and rearspaced vertical channel members, the members having inner side flangesand outer side flanges with inturned edges, a pair of cross-bars pivotedat their lower ends to the inner flanges of each side member and havingstuds at their upper ends slidably confined within the inturned edges ofthe outer flanges in the opposite channel members, a seat h'aving itsside edges pivotally held at each side on the inner flanges of thechannel members and having acentral longitudinal hinge, a footrestpivotally held at its sides on the outer flanges oi' the channelmembers, said foot-rest having a central longitudinal hinge and a linkconnecting the front of the seat hinge with the rear yof the hinge ofthe foot-rest.

On the accompanying drawings I have shown the invention in its severaldetails o'f construction.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved perambulatoropened for use;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same;

` a D-handle 22 2 Fig. 3 is a rear elevation; Fig. Li is a bottom View;Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the perambulator partially collapsed;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view in perspective of a channel memberand the pivoted cross-bar;

Fig. 7 is a like View of the channel member and the upper end of thecross-bar and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail view in perspective of themode of fastening the rods for holding the edges of the vseat cushion.

By way of example, and as illustrating the preferred form of myinvention, I have shown on the drawings a folding perambulator or babycarriage built up from two side frames Il, constructed of rigid metalparts. These side frames can :be drawn together into a compact arrange-"ment, such as is shown in my earlier patent above referred to.

Each frame has a lower horizontal bar l2, the forward end of which hasan extension i3. These bars l2 each have two stub shafts I4 on whichwheels l5 are mounted.

The side frames also include two vertical channel members Iii, rigidilyriveted or otherwisey attached to the lower horizontal bars. The channelmembers are connected at the top by arm rests I1, also rigidly attached.The frames therefor form parallelograms. Diagonal guide members I8extend from the front of the horizontal bars i2 t-o the top of the rearchannel member it. These guide members yare channeled, and receiveflexible metallic arms I9.

Each arm I9 carries a tooth 2i) at the lower end, which strikes a rigidcollar 2l clamped across the upper -end of the member i6 to limit thebackward extension of the arms.

The rear ends of the arms are connected by This provides a spacingbetween the arms i9 when the frame is collapsed. In this way, the handlewhen brought down lserve-s with the -arms to prevent undesired openingof the structure.

Each channel member I6 has an inner straight ange 23, yand an outerflange 24. The outer flange has an inturned edge 25 which is cut away atthe bottom, as shown at 2t, for facilitating assembly.

The Irigid side frames are held in parallelism by means of two pairs o'fcross-bars 2l, 28. One pair of cross-bars connects the front channelmembers i6, while the other pair of cross-bars 28 connects lthe rearpair of channel mem.- bers I6.

Each pair of cross-bars has its lower ends riveted, as shown at 29', tothe inner straight flange 23 of the channel member I6. These form pivotscontrolling the movement of the cross-bars 21, 28. Each pair ofcross-bars is pivoted together at the mid-point by means of rivets 29 orthe like.

At the top, each cross-bar carries a stud 3B. This stud slidesvertically in the channel member and is confined within the channel bymeans of the inside inturned edge 25. This is clearly shown in Fig. 7.

I have provided a hinged seat made of two rigid metal portions 3|, 3|.These have a center hinge 32 established by riveting the portions 3|together at the front and rear. The opposite sides of the portions 3|are riveted to the inner flanges 23 of the channel members i6. In eachinstance, the riveting permits the parts to have pivotal movement.

A foot-rest 33 is also provided of two metallic portions 34, 34. Thesealso are riveted together at front and rear along the center line topermit movement as a hinge.

The front portions i3 of the horizontal bars vI2 are provided withvertical extensions 35, 35. These are rigidly attached to the bars.Pivot rods 36 extend horizontally between the vertical extensions 35,and the outer flanges of the forward channel members I5. These pivotrods carry the portions 34, 34 and permit the latter to take ahorizontal position mutually braced at the center hinge and supported atthe outer sides. A link 3'! extends downwardly from the front of thecenter hinge 32 of the seat. This link is offset, so that it is in frontof the forward pair of Cross-bars 2l. The lower end of the link 31 isslotted, as shown at 38. The rear pivoting rivet of the foot-rest passesthrough this slot, so that the link may rest upon the pivot when thefoot-rest is horizontal, or may allow a certain degree of relativemovement when the structure is collapsed or folded.

A link 39 is riveted to the hinge at the rear of the seat, as shown inFig. 3. This link has a long slot 4H which receives the pivot of therear pair of cross-bars 28. Here again, the seat and cross-bars arecapable of relative movement. However, the seat, when horizontal, restsupon the link 39 which in turn is supported by the lpivot of thecross-bar.

A cushion 4| of lled fabric is provided to rest upon the side portions3|. This cushion is held down by means of two rods d2, 42. These rodsextend substantially horizontally between the channel members i6. Thefront end of each rod 42 is provided with a key 43 which can be insertedthrough a slot M in the inner flange 23. A quarter-turn of the rod thenlocks it from accidental removal. The rear end of the rod 42 has aneyelet 45 which is horizontal when the key is locked. Y

The rods l2 are threaded through Ythe sides of the cushion 4| inassembly.

The rods are prevented from disengagement by means of vertical rods t5.These run vertically behind the rear channel members l5. At the bottom,they pass through eyelets t5, and at the top they are riveted to the armrests. These rods t6 are threaded through the sides of a back cushion4l.

Slotted plates 48, 4|] are also part of the pivot at the front and rearof the center hinge 32 of the seat. A strip of webbing lle extendsloosely between the slotted plates. This forms means for holding thecushion down at the center when the seat is spread out. Also, when thecarriage is folded, the strip is brought up into the same plane with thearm rests I1. As the arm rests are spaced apart, they do not form asatisfactory carrying grip or handle. However, the intermediate strip 49can be used as a handle. It will also apply the lifting force to thecenter of the lseat both in the folding operation and in carrying. Thisprevents the seat from opening up when not desired.

In the arrangement set out, the structure in the prior patent has beenaltered to provide manifested advantages and improvements. The rigidside frames when separated or extended bring the seat portions into ahorizontal plane and distend the seat cushion. At the same time, thefoot-rest is spread out and connected by a link to the seat portions.Likewise, the rear pair of cross members are connected to the seatportions in such a way as to form a positive central support.

To fold or collapse the device it is only necessary to draw up on thewebbing 39. This causes the seat portions to fold, and at the same timefolds the foot-rest.

The seat cushion is locked into place by the same means which supportsthe back cushion.

lThere results a convenient and compact vehicle which is rugged and easyto manufacture.

While I have described the preferred form of the invention andillustrated it on the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent thatnumerous changes in proportions, materials and structural details may becarried out without departing from the scope of the invention as definedin the following claims.

What I claim is:

l. A childs foldable perambulator comprising a pair of rigid side frameshaving stub shafts and wheels thereon, each side frame having front andrear spaced vertical channel members, two pairs of cross-bars, each pairpivoted together at their mid-points and also pivoted at their lowerends to a channel member and having their upper ends slidably conned inthe opposite channel members, a seat having its side edges pivotallyheld at each Side on the channel members and having a centrallongitudinal hinge, a supporting link connecting the rear of the seathinge with the pivotal mid-point of the adjacent cross-bars, and afoot-rest pivotally held at its sides on the side frames and having acentral longitudinal hinge.

2. A childs foldable perambulator comprising a pair of rigid side frameshaving stub shafts and wheels thereon, each side frame having front andrear spaced vertical channel members, two pairs of cross-bars, each pairpivoted together at their mid-points and also pivoted at their lowerends to a channel member and having their upper ends slidably confinedin the opposite channel members, a seat having its side edges pivotallyheld at each side on the channel members and having a centrallongitudinal hinge, a supporting link pivoted to the rear of the seathinge and having its lower end longitudinally slotted to rest on thepivotal mid-point of the adjacent cross-bars, and a footrest pivotallyheld at its sides on the side frames and having a central longitudinalhinge.

3. A childs foldable perainbulator comprising a pair of rigid sideframes having stub shafts and wheels thereon, each side frame havingfront and rear spaced vertical channel members, a pair of cross-barspivoted at their lower ends to each channel member and having theirupper ends slidably confined in the opposite channel member, a seathaving its side edges pivotally held at each side on the channel membersand having a central longitudinal hinge, the side frames havinghorizontal lower bars extended forwardly of the front channel members, arigid vertical extension on the front of each said bar, and a foot-restpivotally held by the bar extensions and adjacent front channel membersand having a, central longitudinal hinge.

4. A childs foldable perambulator comprising a pair of rigid side frameshaving stub shafts and wheels thereon, each side frame having front andrear spaced vertical channel members, a pair of cross-bars pivoted attheir lower ends to each channel member and having their upper endsslidably confined in the opposite channel member, a seat having its sideedges pivotally held at each side on the channel members and having acentral longitudinal hinge, the side frames having horizontal lower barsextended forwardly of the front ychannel members, a rigid verticalextension on the front of each said bar, a foot rest pivotally held bythe bar extensions and adjacent front channel members and having acentral longitudinal hinge and a link connecting the front of the seathinge with the rear of the hinge of the foot rest. f v5. A Ichildsfoldable perambulator comprising a pair of rigid side frames having stubshafts and wheels thereon, each side frame having front and rear spacedvertical channel members, a pair of cross-bars pivoted at their lowerends to each channel member and having their upper ends slidablyconfined in the opposite channel member, a seat having its side edgespivotally held at each side on the channel members and having a centrallongitudinal hinge, a foot-rest pivotally held at its sides on the sideframes and having a central longitudinal hinge, a seat cushion, and tierods therefor running horizontally between the front and rear channelmembers.

6. A childs foldable perambulator comprising a pair of rigid side frameshaving stub shafts and wheels thereon, each side frame having front andrear spaced vertical channel members, a pair of cross-bars pivoted attheir lower ends to each channel member and having their upper endsslidably confined in the opposite channel member, a seat having its sideedges pivotally held at each side on the channel members and having acentral longitudinal hinge, a lfoot-rest pivotally held at its sides onthe side frames and having --a central longitudinal hinge, a seatcushion, tie rod therefor running horizontally between the front andrear channel members and a longitudinal strap attached to the seat overthe cushion. 7. A childs foldable perambulator comprising a pair ofrigid side frames having stub shafts and wheels thereon, each side framehaving front and rear spaced vertical channel members, a pair of 6 Ycross-bars pivoted at their lower ends to each channel member and havingtheir upper ends slidably confined in the opposite channel member, aseat having its side edges pivotally held atV each side on the channelmembers and having a central longitudinal hinge, a foot-rest pivotallyheld at its sides on the side frames and having a central longitudinalhinge, a seat cushion, horizontal tie rods extending from the frontchannel members through the rear channel members, eyelets on the rearends of the tie rods and vertical rods on the frame behind the rearchannel members for passing through the said eyelets.

8. A childs foldable perambulator comprising a pair of rigid side frameshaving stub shafts and wheels thereon, each side frame having front andrear spaced vertical channel members, a` pair of cross-bars pivoted attheir lower ends to each channel member and having theirV upper endsslidably confined in the opposite channel member, a seat having its sideedges pivotally held at each side on the channel members and having acentral longitudinal hinge, a foot-rest pivotally held at its sides onthe side frames and having a central longitudinal hinge, a seat cushion,horizontal tie rods extending from the front channel members through therear channels, eyelets on the rear ends of the tie rods, aback cushion,vertical rods on the frame behind the rear channel members for holdingsaid back cushion, said vertical rods passing through the said eyelets.

9. A childs foldable perambulator comprising a pair of rigid side frameshaving stub shafts and wheels thereon, each side frame having front andrear spaced vertical channel members, the members having inner sideflanges and outer side flanges with inturned edges, a pair of cross-barspivoted at their lower ends to the inner flanges of each side member andhaving studs at their upper ends slidably confined Within the inturnededges ofthe outer flanges in the opposite channel members, a seat havingits side edges pivotally held at each side on the inner flanges of thechannel members and having a central longitudinal hinge, a. foot-restpivotally held at its sides on the outer flanges of the channel members,said foot-rest having a central longitudinal hinge and a link connectingthe frontof the seat hinge with the rear of the hinge of the foot-rest.

HAROLD EDWARD CORNISH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 635,638 Ballantine Oct. 24, 1899FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 263,459 Australia Aug. 31, 1949

